Around the Township.

Oops! About 32 days left until Christmas. That’s scary, if, like me, you haven’t actually begun shopping. But I mean to get started. Any day now. Really. And speaking of shopping, be sure you check out all the gifts and gift ideas right here in South Dundas. Our local businesses have lots of wonderful products for under the Christmas tree.

All the fun and celebrations of the holiday season are definitely underway as we count down the days to Santa’s visit.

This Saturday, November 26, the Morrisburg & District and the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Clubs are co-hosting the 6th annual South Dundas Senior Christmas Concert at the Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. with a concert featuring Ron Whitteker and his band, Good Time Country, providing the entertainment. The event runs at the Hall from 2-4 p.m. and is absolutely free to area seniors. There will be plenty of great food and plenty of fun at the party, and rumours are that a certain Jolly Elf, himself quite a senior, is planning to drop in. For information, or to book free transportation to the Concert, call 613-652-2307 or 613-543-3292.

The Upper Canada Playhouse debuts its annual Christmas production this week as Dear Santa opens at the theatre. Written by popular Canadian playwright Norm Foster, Dear Santa is a show full of laughter, music and dance, just made for the whole family. With Doug Tangney in the role of Santa, (who has just discovered several major North Pole crises three days to Christmas!), this will be a real holiday treat. By the way, 30 local children are in the choir in the show. Don’t miss it.

Another must see holiday special coming on December 4, at 7 p.m., is a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic, A Christmas Carol. Lakeshore Drive United Church Outreach Program in collaboration with Upper Canada Playhouse is staging the holiday classic at the Church. It will feature five performers in traditional Victorian costumes, as well as wonderful music and refreshments. The funds raised will go to purchase new cardiac monitors for Winchester District Memorial Hospital. Pick up tickets at area Scotiabanks.

Don’t forget, Santa is planning to make his annual visit to Morrisburg on December 3, and he’s bringing floats, bands, elves, candy and a whole lot of fun with him. The Santa Claus parade is just two weeks away. What better way to celebrate this delightful season of joy and giving.

Speaking of giving, the South Dundas Christmas Exchange is counting on friends and neighbours to make this the best Christmas ever for many families in our area. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone had a delicious dinner on Christmas Day? (If you are a South Dundas resident who needs a Christmas dinner basket this year, contact 613-543-2005 until November 26.)

Please think about donating some money or some gifts or some time to one of the many good charities in need of help this holiday season.

And on a bit of a sour note, we have just learned that computer scammers have been bilking some local people.

If you receive a phone call from some one claiming that there’s a problem with your computer, it may be part of a scam to get your credit card number. Computers with either Microsoft or Windows programs are being targeted in this area. If this phone number comes up, 1-888-495-8501, on your phone display, when you receive a call, be warned. This is a scammer. Immediately contact info@phonebusters.com who are equipped to back trace the phoney company.

On behalf of a whole bunch of homeless dogs who now have found homes, I would like to thank everyone who is contributing in some way to the South Dundas Animal Shelter.

I would especially like to thank Bonnie McNairn and the Morrisburg Leader who give these dogs exposure every week in the paper. Without their help, none of this would be possible.

Thanks to all of the people who have donated food, treats, blankets and towels, money and cheques and a big thank you to Carol Armstrong and Myrna Whelan for all of the work they are doing behind the scenes.

Just so everyone knows, the Township pays me for four days food and shelter for the canines I am called to rescue. After that, I rely on your support so that I can help them get to the point where they can be adopted–sometimes this can take months.

Without your support, some of these adoptable dogs would have to be euthanized.

Dogs are just like our children–they need us to take care of them and keep them safe.

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2013. Please continue to support the South Dundas Animal Shelter.

Kevin Casselman.

Editor’s Note: Those of us involved here at The Leader add our thanks to everyone for their support and especially those people who have come forward and adopted the dogs. Since we first ran the story with Kevin and the plight of the dogs, we have featured 13 dogs in the paper. Twelve of the dogs have been adopted and another handful or more have been adopted before their pics even made it to the paper. Having made more people aware of the shelter and the dogs there has helped to make the shelter a first stop on many people’s “best friend” shopping list.

At the time of this letter, we still have one young fellow, looking for a loving, forever home…here’s hoping we can make him lucky 13, and get this very loving and very obedient mixed breed (yup the hound mix) a home. Please call Kevin at 613-543-2980.

Easter – the most important day in the Christian calendar starts with lots of activity.

Christians celebrate Christ’s resurrection in countless colorful ways. We gather with family and friends for meals. We really appreciate the sunshine and head out doors to enjoy a hike, bike or walk with the youth. Springtime flowers and Easter lilies decorate our homes and churches. We gather for worship maybe once or maybe every day during the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

The best way to celebrate Easter is to do what Jesus did and that was to forgive someone.

Each of us stands level with each other at the foot of the cross having been forgiven ourselves.

We all have someone in our lives that we need to forgive; a neighbor, a family member, a brother or sister or someone at work. Now is the time to do that.

What are those sayings? Yesterday was history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. Life is not a dress rehearsal. Just do it !

As an Easter people we are aware that the power of the Resurrection of Christ has forever changed who we are. It has given us the courage to boldly proclaim a living faith.

This spring celebrate new life, new joy and new possibilities in your life.